What men should know – Page 4

PEP (Post-Exposure Prophylaxis)

23rd June 2016
ov3ryde
Health4Men Resources, Men & Sex, PEP, What men should know

Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (usually called PEP)  is a course of ARVs (antiretroviral tablets used to treat HIV) given to someone who is HIV-negative after he has had a high risk exposure to HIV. This could be a condom breaking during anal sex, especially if he was the bottom (receptive partner). PEP significantly reduces his risk of becoming HIV-positive.

PEP must be started as soon as possible after the risky sex, and not later than 72 hours. Men who have been raped are likely to need PEP unless they are already HIV positive. The pills must be taken correctly, at the same time every day for one month.

Lube

23rd June 2016
ov3ryde
Health4Men Resources, Men & Sex, What men should know

Lubricant (also called lube) is a smooth and slippery jelly or liquid that is used to make anal sex more comfortable and enjoyable. If used correctly it also makes anal sex less risky for getting or passing on HIV or other STIs.

Viral Load and CD4

22nd June 2016
ov3ryde
Health4Men Resources, HIV, What men should know

Your immune system protects your body against illness and infections. The most important cells in your immune system are called CD4 cells.

A CD4 count tells us how many CD4 cells there are in a drop of your blood. The higher your CD4 count, the stronger your immune system is.

Your viral load is a measurement of how much the HI virus (the virus that causes HIV) is present in your body. The viral load can go up to millions.

Your CD4 count and viral load influence each other:

Floppycock

Is your flaccid penis trying to tell you something? There’s no need to keep a stiff upper lip about your failure to launch. Erectile dysfunction (ED) used to be a condition that affected men over a certain age, but nowadays…

Foreskin too tight to mention

If your foreskin is too tight and restrictive, it’s a good idea to go to a health care provider to get it checked out. Contraction of the foreskin is known as phimosis and it can make it difficult to pull…

Dew on the Lily

29th February 2016
ov3ryde
Men & Sex, Queer Talk

(by Mickey Diablo) It’s the appetizer before the main course, the Royal Variety Performance preceding the NYE fireworks, the isolated showers which herald the Highveld storm. I could wax lyrical a little longer but I think you get the point……

The Guy on PrEP who still got HIV

26th February 2016
ov3ryde
PrEP, Queer Talk

You may have heard about this or seen it online - so we thought we'd break it down for you. Huh? A previously HIV-negative 43-year old man in Toronto has tested HIV-positive, despite taking pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for two years.…

The Rights Of People With HIV and AIDS

23rd July 2015
ov3ryde
Rights & Disclosure

The South African Constitution has a Bill of Rights that protects all people. The rights to life, dignity, privacy, freedom and others. According to section 9, entitled “Equality”. It says: “(3) The state may not unfairly discriminate directly or indirectly against…

Protecting Your Health

3rd July 2015
ov3ryde
Health4Men Resources, Men & Sex, What men should know
0 Comments

Combination prevention is a strategy of combining two or more proven HIV prevention methods that suit your lifestyle. If these methods are used properly, they will either: Reduce your risk of becoming HIV positive and of contracting other sexually transmitted…

Tuberculosis (TB)

3rd July 2015
ov3ryde
General Health Issues, Health4Men Resources, What men should know
0 Comments

Tuberculosis (TB) is caused by a germ. Common signs of TB in your lungs include coughing, fever and night sweats, feeling very tired and losing weight quickly. People who are HIV positive can get TB more easily. Around the world,…